AARP for AARP

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

Discussed support for the DOL Fiduciary rule. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Discussed potential hostile riders concerning SEC and DOL fiduciary duty rules with House and Senate Appropriations Committee staff.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 2028 (115th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

H.R. 1313, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act - Opposed bill. S. 443, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Supported bill. Discussed activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Contacted: SENATE; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: H.R. 1313 (115th), S. 443 (115th)

Transportation TRA

Discussed traffic safety and older pedestrians. Discussed safe road design for all users of the road. Discussed autonomous vehicles. Discussed transportation appropriations. Discussed non-emergency medical transportation. Discussed highway signage font. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in support of bill report language regarding Safe Streets provision in FAST Act, housing rental assistance, among other programs.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Bills named: H.R. 2028 (115th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Discussed support for medical expense deduction tax treatment. Discussed the Credit for Caring Act (no bill number). Discussed Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act (no bill number). H.R. 329, Elder Services Tax Credit Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding levels for IRS VITA & TCE taxpayer assistance programs. Discussed health and retirement tax incentives: Sent letter to House and Senate committee leadership addressing taxation of Social Security benefits, the retention of the extra standard deduction for those ages 65 or older, access to workplace retirement plans, targeted incentives for work-place retirement saving plans, protection of earned pensions for vulnerable retirees and their families, and maintenance of consumer protections.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 2028 (115th), H.R. 329 (115th)

Retirement RET

H.Res.66, H.Res.67, S.Res.33, S.Res.34 - Lobbied to prevent revocation of the Department of Labor's guidance to state and municipal-facilitated retirement savings programs under the Congressional Review Act. Discussed support for the DOL Fiduciary rule. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in opposition to hostile policy riders concerning DOL fiduciary duty rules. Met with the SSA and OMB regarding SSA FY 2017 and FY 2018 funding levels and reviewed comments and testimony regarding Representative Payee Program. Discussed conceptual draft of bill regarding electronic disclosures regarding retirement plans. H.R. 624, Social Security Fraud Prevention Act of 2017 - Endorsed bill. Supported bill that requires the Social Security Administration to remove Social Security Numbers from mailings when their use is unnecessary (MAIL Act, no bill number this Congress).

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Bills named: H.Res. 66 (115th), H.Res. 67 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th), S.Res. 34 (115th), S.Res. 33 (115th), H.R. 624 (115th)

Health Issues HCR

H.R.1628, American Health Care Act of 2017 - Lobbied in opposition to the bill. Discussed support for medical expense deduction. H.R. 708, State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017 - Discussed opposition to bill. Sent letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee. H.R. 1121, Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. H.R. 708/H.R.1628 - Provided information on the age tax and its impact on older adults. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation including Medicare, private health insurance/age tax, Medicaid, and prescription drugs. S. 191, Patient Freedom Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. Discussed health care reform generally. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in support of increased funding for CMS' state survey and certification program and opposition to hostile policy riders re Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. H.R. 1313, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act - Opposed bill. Discussed health care tax provisions - Sent letter to House and Senate committee leadership addressing preservation of tax exempt status of employer sponsored insurance coverage, maintenance of tax subsidies for lower- and moderate-income Americans to purchase health insurance coverage in health care marketplaces, the creation of a new, non-refundable tax credit for working family caregivers, and the retention of the medical expense itemized deduction.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Bills named: H.R. 1313 (115th), H.R. 1628 (115th), S. 191 (115th), H.R. 708 (115th), H.R. 1121 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

S.9, Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016 - Sent endorsement letter. Discussed potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act (P.L.111-148, P.L.111-152). Discussed MACRA implementation. Discussed changes to the Medicare benefit design, such as: copays, premiums, and deductibles. Discussed health care quality and measurement. Discussed AARP opposition to Medicaid block grants and per capita caps. H.R. 1017/S. 479, Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act - Sent a letter of endorsement. Discussed concerns with/opposition to potential changes to Medicaid (includes letter to House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee). Discussed Medicaid home and community-based services. Discussed Medicare code relating to family caregivers. H.R. 1421/S.568, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act - Discussed reintroduction of and our support for bill. Responded to question regarding H.R. 181 (regarding annuities for community spouse of an institutionalized spouse and Medicaid spousal impoverishment provisions) and Prioritizing the Most Vulnerable Over Lottery Winners Act of 2017 (H.R. 829). Discussed possible repeal of final federal regulations regarding conditions of participation for long-term care facilities and our comments on the proposed rule. Responded to inquiry regarding nursing home abuses. Responded to inquiry regarding the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act (no bill number). H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act - Discussed health care reform and opposition to the bill including because of age tax and changes to Medicaid. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation including Medicare, private health insurance/age tax, Medicaid, and prescription drugs. S. 191, Patient Freedom Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. Discussed health care reform generally. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in support of increased funding for CMS' state survey and certification program and opposition to hostile policy riders re Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Discussed possible Medicaid hearing questions.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: S. 568 (115th), S. 9 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th), H.R. 829 (115th), H.R. 1421 (115th), S. 479 (115th), S. 191 (115th), H.R. 1628 (115th), H.R. 181 (115th), H.R. 1017 (115th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Discussed ACT Caucus appropriations Dear Colleague. Discussed amendment regarding Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security (no amendment number to S. Con. Res. 3). H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in support of various federal programs serving seniors, including nutrition assistance, medical care, supportive services, family caregiver and energy assistance, housing rental assistance, among other programs.

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

Bills named: S.Con.Res. 3 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

Shared information on the Older Americans Act programs. Discussed reintroduction of the Credit for Caring Act and urged cosponsorship (no bill number). Discussed reintroduction of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (no bill number). Discussed the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus, its membership, the caucus generally, and encouraged joining or co-chairing the caucus. Discussed ACT Caucus appropriations Dear Colleague. Discussed Medicare code relating to family caregivers. Discussed Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act (no bill number). H.R. 329, Elder Services Tax Credit Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. Discussed the In-Home Caregiver Assessment Resources and Education Act (no bill number). H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in support of funding for various programs, including caregiving, supportive services and community service programs. Discussed possible family caregiving event on the Hill.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 329 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th)

Insurance INS

H.R. 708, State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017 - Discussed opposition to bill. H.R. 1121, Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. H.R. 708/H.R.1628 - Provided information on the age tax and its impact on older adults. H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act - Discussed health care reform and opposition to the bill including because of "age tax" and changes to Medicaid. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation including Medicare, private health insurance/age tax, Medicaid, and prescription drugs. S. 191, Patient Freedom Act of 2017 - Discussed bill. Discussed health care reform generally.

Contacted: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: S. 191 (115th), H.R. 1121 (115th), H.R. 708 (115th), H.R. 1628 (115th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in opposition to policy riders adverse to AARP interests. H.R. 628/S. 218, Social Security Fraud Prevention Act - Supported bill. H.R. 1313, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act - Opposed bill. S. 443, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Supported bill. Discussed activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: H.R. 628 (115th), S. 218 (115th), S. 443 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th), H.R. 1313 (115th)

Pharmacy PHA

H.R. 749, Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act - Discussed importation, price negotiation, and other prescription drug legislation. Responded to inquiry regarding pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs). S. 469, Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act - Discussed bill. Discussed CREATES Act (no bill number) and pay-for-delay legislation. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation including Medicare, private health insurance/age tax, Medicaid, and prescription drugs. H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied in support of increased CSFP and FDA drug processing funding and user fees.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Bills named: S. 469 (115th), H.R. 749 (115th), H.R. 2028 (115th)

Welfare WEL

H.R. 2028 (Public Law 114-254) - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 - Lobbied to protect nutrition, supportive services and home energy assistance for low income seniors.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: H.R. 2028 (115th)